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==Historic==
==Historic==
{{Main|Historical administrative divisions of Romania}}
{{Main|Historical administrative divisions of Romania}}
The earliest organization into ''judeţe'' of the Principalities of [[Wallachia]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.verticalonline.ro/de-la-sat-la-judet-in-istoria-olteniei |title=De la sat la judeţ în istoria Olteniei &#124; Vertical |publisher=Verticalonline.ro |date= |accessdate=2010-07-08}}</ref> respectively ''ţinuturi'' of [[Moldavia]], dates back at least to the early 15th century. Each ''judeţ'', respectively ''ţinut'', was ruled by a ''jude'', respectively ''pârcălab'', an officially appointed person who had administrative and judicial functions in a manner inspired from the organization of the late [[Byzantine Empire]]. [[Transylvania]], when it was part of the historic [[Kingdom of Hungary]] (in the Middle Ages), an [[Principality of Transylvania (1571–1711)|independent Principality]] or a [[Habsburg Monarchy|Habsburg]] domain (in the modern era until World War I) was divided into [[Comitatus (Kingdom of Hungary)|royal counties]] ([[Latin]]:''comitatus''), headed by ''comes'' (royal counts) with administrative and judicial functions. The term ''judeţ'' became used in [[Romanian language|Romanian universally]] for all principalities since mid-19th century.
The earliest organization into ''județe'' of the Principalities of [[Wallachia]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.verticalonline.ro/de-la-sat-la-judet-in-istoria-olteniei |title=De la sat la județ în istoria Olteniei &#124; Vertical |publisher=Verticalonline.ro |date= |accessdate=2010-07-08}}</ref> respectively ''ținuturi'' of [[Moldavia]], dates back at least to the early 15th century. Each ''județ'', respectively ''ținut'', was ruled by a ''jude'', respectively ''pârcălab'', an officially appointed person who had administrative and judicial functions in a manner inspired from the organization of the late [[Byzantine Empire]]. [[Transylvania]], when it was part of the historic [[Kingdom of Hungary]] (in the Middle Ages), an [[Principality of Transylvania (1571–1711)|independent Principality]] or a [[Habsburg Monarchy|Habsburg]] domain (in the modern era until World War I) was divided into [[Comitatus (Kingdom of Hungary)|royal counties]] ([[Latin]]:''comitatus''), headed by ''comes'' (royal counts) with administrative and judicial functions. The term ''județ'' became used in [[Romanian language|Romanian universally]] for all principalities since mid-19th century.


After modern Romania was formed in 1859 through the [[United Principalities|union of Wallachia and rump Moldavia]], and then extended in 1918 through the [[Union of Transylvania with Romania|union of Transylvania]], as well as [[Bukovina]] and [[Bessarabia]] (parts of Moldavia temporarily acquired by the Habsburgs, 1775–1918, respectively the [[Russian Empire|Russian Tsars]], 1812–1917), the administrative division was modernized using the French departments system as an example. With the exception of the half of the [[Communist Romania|Communist period]], this system remained in place. Since 1864, for each ''judeţ'' there exists a ''[[Prefect (Romania)|prefect]]'' (from the Latin ''[[praefectus]]''), a subordinate of the [[Ministry of Administration and Interior (Romania)|Ministry of Internal Affairs]], who is the representative of the government in the county, and the head of the local administration in the areas not delegated to local authorities.<ref name="Ag"/> Until 1948, each ''judeţ'' was further divided into a number of ''plăşi''(singular ''plasă''), with each administered by a ''pretor'' (from the Latin ''[[praetor]]''), appointed by the ''prefect''.<ref name="Bz"/>
After modern Romania was formed in 1859 through the [[United Principalities|union of Wallachia and rump Moldavia]], and then extended in 1918 through the [[Union of Transylvania with Romania|union of Transylvania]], as well as [[Bukovina]] and [[Bessarabia]] (parts of Moldavia temporarily acquired by the Habsburgs, 1775–1918, respectively the [[Russian Empire|Russian Tsars]], 1812–1917), the administrative division was modernized using the French departments system as an example. With the exception of the half of the [[Communist Romania|Communist period]], this system remained in place. Since 1864, for each ''județ'' there exists a ''[[Prefect (Romania)|prefect]]'' (from the Latin ''[[praefectus]]''), a subordinate of the [[Ministry of Administration and Interior (Romania)|Ministry of Internal Affairs]], who is the representative of the government in the county, and the head of the local administration in the areas not delegated to local authorities.<ref name="Ag"/> Until 1948, each ''județ'' was further divided into a number of ''plăși'' (singular ''plasă''), with each administered by a ''pretor'' (from the Latin ''[[praetor]]''), appointed by the ''prefect''.<ref name="Bz"/>


In 1913, as a result of the [[Second Balkan War]], Romania acquired Southern [[Dobruja]] from [[Bulgaria]], integrating this historical region within Romania's borders until 1940. In 1923 Romania adopted a new Constitution, and in 1927 it uniformized the traditional administrative systems of Transylvania, Bukovina and Bessarabia with that of the [[Romanian Old Kingdom]]. County borders were kept largely intact, with only a couple minor adjustments, as a total of 71 judeţe existed between 1927 and 1938.
In 1913, as a result of the [[Second Balkan War]], Romania acquired Southern [[Dobruja]] from [[Bulgaria]], integrating this historical region within Romania's borders until 1940. In 1923 Romania adopted a new Constitution, and in 1927 it uniformized the traditional administrative systems of Transylvania, Bukovina and Bessarabia with that of the [[Romanian Old Kingdom]]. County borders were kept largely intact, with only a couple minor adjustments, as a total of 71 județe existed between 1927 and 1938.


In 1938, [[Carol II of Romania|King Carol II]] modified the [[Constitution]], and after that the law of administration of the Romanian territory. Ten "ţinuturi" (approx. translation: "lands") were created, ruled by "Rezidenţi Regali" (approx. translation "Royal Residents"), appointed directly by the [[Monarch]]. The ţinuturi represented another layer of administration between counties and the country; county borders were not erased.<ref name=Ag/><ref>{{ro icon}} Ioan Scurtu, Theodora Stănescu-Stanciu, Georgiana Margareta Scurtu, [http://www.unibuc.ro/eBooks/istorie/istorie1918-1940/cap8.htm ''Istoria românilor între anii 1918-1940: VIII. Viaţa politică în perioada februarie 1938-septembrie 1940'' ("The History of the Romanians in 1918-1940): IV. Political Life in the February 1938-September 1940 Period"]:[http://www.unibuc.ro/eBooks/istorie/istorie1918-1940/8-7.htm "Decret-lege pentru reforma electorală" ("Law Decree for Electoral Reform")] {{dead link|date=November 2010}}</ref> But, due to World War II, the [[Second Vienna Award]], the [[Ribbentrop-Molotov pact]] and the loss of territory that [[Romania]] suffered, this style of administration did not last, the administration at the "judeţ" level being reintroduced back until the establishment of communism in 1945-1947.
In 1938, [[Carol II of Romania|King Carol II]] modified the [[Constitution]], and after that the law of administration of the Romanian territory. Ten "ținuturi" (approx. translation: "lands") were created, ruled by "Rezidenți Regali" (approx. translation "Royal Residents"), appointed directly by the [[Monarch]]. The ținuturi represented another layer of administration between counties and the country; county borders were not erased.<ref name=Ag/><ref>{{ro icon}} Ioan Scurtu, Theodora Stănescu-Stanciu, Georgiana Margareta Scurtu, [http://www.unibuc.ro/eBooks/istorie/istorie1918-1940/cap8.htm ''Istoria românilor între anii 1918-1940: VIII. Viața politică în perioada februarie 1938-septembrie 1940'' ("The History of the Romanians in 1918-1940): IV. Political Life in the February 1938-September 1940 Period"]:[http://www.unibuc.ro/eBooks/istorie/istorie1918-1940/8-7.htm "Decret-lege pentru reforma electorală" ("Law Decree for Electoral Reform")] {{dead link|date=November 2010}}</ref> But, due to World War II, the [[Second Vienna Award]], the [[Ribbentrop-Molotov pact]] and the loss of territory that [[Romania]] suffered, this style of administration did not last, the administration at the "județ" level being reintroduced back until the establishment of communism in 1945-1947.


During World War II, the territory of Romania suffered very significant modifications. In 1940, Soviet Union [[Soviet occupation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina|occupied]] [[Bessarabia]], northern [[Bukovina]], and [[Herza region]] which after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, would become part of [[Republic of Moldova]] and of [[Ukraine]]. Between 1941-1944, these territories together with [[Transnistria]], were administered by Romania briefly, as the country was governed by a military dictatorship allied with Nazi Germany. [[Transnistria]] consisted of formerly proper Soviet territory between [[Dniester]] and [[Southern Bug]] rivers. Nowadays, most of it is in [[Ukraine]], with small parts in the [[Republic of Moldova]] (current [[Transnistria]]). This territory was kept under Romanian military occupation, and was not annexed to Romania consisted of a further 13 counties.
During World War II, the territory of Romania suffered very significant modifications. In 1940, Soviet Union [[Soviet occupation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina|occupied]] [[Bessarabia]], northern [[Bukovina]], and [[Herza region]] which after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, would become part of [[Republic of Moldova]] and of [[Ukraine]]. Between 1941-1944, these territories together with [[Transnistria]], were administered by Romania briefly, as the country was governed by a military dictatorship allied with Nazi Germany. [[Transnistria]] consisted of formerly proper Soviet territory between [[Dniester]] and [[Southern Bug]] rivers. Nowadays, most of it is in [[Ukraine]], with small parts in the [[Republic of Moldova]] (current [[Transnistria]]). This territory was kept under Romanian military occupation, and was not annexed to Romania consisted of a further 13 counties.


[[File:Romania Counties 1930-2008.svg|thumb|right|300px|Current counties imposed over the inter-war counties]]
[[File:Romania Counties 1930-2008.svg|thumb|right|300px|Current counties imposed over the inter-war counties]]
After the war, the [[Romanian Communist Party|Communist Party]] took over the administration of the country. In 1950, the party changed the administration model to the Russian model (regions and [[raion]]s), but it reverted to the current system in 1968, although county borders were quite different from the interbelic period.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vestul.ro/stiri/1310/in-linii-mari.htm |title=Istoria Banatului :: În linii mari |publisher=Vestul.ro |date=1944-08-23 |accessdate=2010-07-08}}</ref> In 1981 the former counties of Ilfov and Ialomiţa were re-organised into the present-day counties of Giurgiu, Călăraşi, Ialomiţa and Ilfov. The county borders introduced in 1968 are largely in place, but administrative reform during the 1990s has devolved the functions of different authorities in line with transition from a totalitarian communist system to a modern democracy. The only territorial adjustment after 1989 occurred in 1995, when [[Ilfov County]] was formed. Before that it was a dependency of the Municipality of Bucharest (''[[Sectorul Agricol Ilfov]]'').
After the war, the [[Romanian Communist Party|Communist Party]] took over the administration of the country. In 1950, the party changed the administration model to the Russian model (regions and [[raion]]s), but it reverted to the current system in 1968, although county borders were quite different from the interbelic period.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vestul.ro/stiri/1310/in-linii-mari.htm |title=Istoria Banatului :: În linii mari |publisher=Vestul.ro |date=1944-08-23 |accessdate=2010-07-08}}</ref> In 1981 the former counties of Ilfov and Ialomița were re-organised into the present-day counties of Giurgiu, Călărași, Ialomița and Ilfov. The county borders introduced in 1968 are largely in place, but administrative reform during the 1990s has devolved the functions of different authorities in line with transition from a totalitarian communist system to a modern democracy. The only territorial adjustment after 1989 occurred in 1995, when [[Ilfov County]] was formed. Before that it was a dependency of the Municipality of Bucharest (''[[Sectorul Agricol Ilfov]]'').


==Current status==
==Current status==
Eight [[Development regions of Romania|regional divisions]] (called ''development regions'') were created in 1998 in order to better co-ordinate regional development as Romania progressed towards accession to the [[European Union]], and consist of several counties each. These correspond to [[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics|NUTS II]]-level divisions in European Union member states, but do not actually have an administrative status and do not have a legislative or executive council or government. As of 2009, [[Romania]] is divided into 41 counties and one municipality which are assigned as [[NUTS of Romania|NUTS III-level]] divisions. Currently, Romania has no NUTS-4 units, the counties being composed directly of [[city|cities]] (some of which with [[municipality]] status) and [[commune]]s.
Eight [[Development regions of Romania|regional divisions]] (called ''development regions'') were created in 1998 in order to better co-ordinate regional development as Romania progressed towards accession to the [[European Union]], and consist of several counties each. These correspond to [[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics|NUTS II]]-level divisions in European Union member states, but do not actually have an administrative status and do not have a legislative or executive council or government. As of 2009, [[Romania]] is divided into 41 counties and one municipality which are assigned as [[NUTS of Romania|NUTS III-level]] divisions. Currently, Romania has no NUTS-4 units, the counties being composed directly of [[city|cities]] (some of which with [[municipality]] status) and [[commune]]s.


As in all modern democracies, the political power in Romania is divided into three independent branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The ''prefect'' and his administration have only executive prerogatives. However, the territorial districts of the Romanian judicial system overlap with county borders, thus avoiding further complication.<ref name=Ag/> At the same time with local elections (of mayors and councilors for the cities and communes), a ''Consiliu judeţean'' (County Council) is elected for each county. Since 2008 a President of the County Council is also elected by direct vote. As of now, the legislative powers of county councils are quite reduced, but there are plans for more decentralization. (These plans, however, call for introduction of Regional Councils for the 8 [[Development regions of Romania|development regions]] of the NUTS-2 level.)
As in all modern democracies, the political power in Romania is divided into three independent branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The ''prefect'' and his administration have only executive prerogatives. However, the territorial districts of the Romanian judicial system overlap with county borders, thus avoiding further complication.<ref name=Ag/> At the same time with local elections (of mayors and councilors for the cities and communes), a ''Consiliu județean'' (County Council) is elected for each county. Since 2008 a President of the County Council is also elected by direct vote. As of now, the legislative powers of county councils are quite reduced, but there are plans for more decentralization. (These plans, however, call for introduction of Regional Councils for the 8 [[Development regions of Romania|development regions]] of the NUTS-2 level.)


==Future developments==
==Future developments==
Line 36: Line 36:
As of 2010 there have been several proposals for the administrative reorganization of [[Romania]] made by the presidential commission tasked with the analysis of the political and constitutional regime.<ref name="Microsoft Word - RAPORTUL STANOMIR.doc"/> Most of these recommendations aim for the partial reestablishment of the counties in their pre-1950 form. The counties will be grouped into several regions (9 to 15) based on common historical and economic characteristics ([[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics|NUTS II level]]). The regions will be in their turn clustered into 4-6 macroregions ([[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics|NUTS I level]]). Furthermore, a [[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics|NUTS IV]] level division, called [[plasă]] or canton will probably be added in order to meet the [[EU]] statistical and administrative requirements.<ref>http://www.romanialibera.ro/dosar/a129846-cum-va-arata-harta-romaniei.html{{dead link|date=July 2010}}</ref>
As of 2010 there have been several proposals for the administrative reorganization of [[Romania]] made by the presidential commission tasked with the analysis of the political and constitutional regime.<ref name="Microsoft Word - RAPORTUL STANOMIR.doc"/> Most of these recommendations aim for the partial reestablishment of the counties in their pre-1950 form. The counties will be grouped into several regions (9 to 15) based on common historical and economic characteristics ([[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics|NUTS II level]]). The regions will be in their turn clustered into 4-6 macroregions ([[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics|NUTS I level]]). Furthermore, a [[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics|NUTS IV]] level division, called [[plasă]] or canton will probably be added in order to meet the [[EU]] statistical and administrative requirements.<ref>http://www.romanialibera.ro/dosar/a129846-cum-va-arata-harta-romaniei.html{{dead link|date=July 2010}}</ref>


Another proposal, based on 15 autonomous euro-regions (amongst them one ethnic based region with a consistent Hungarian majority made of the existing [[Mureş County|Mureş]], [[Harghita County|Harghita]] and [[Covasna County|Covasna]] counties) grouped into 5 statistical macroregions ([[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics|NUTS I]]), was made by the [[Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania]] (UDMR).<ref>http://www.gandul.info/politica/reorganizare-teritoriala-marca-udmr-15-euroregiuni-15-parlamente-955641{{dead link|date=July 2010}}</ref>
Another proposal, based on 15 autonomous euro-regions (amongst them one ethnic based region with a consistent Hungarian majority made of the existing [[Mureș County|Mureș]], [[Harghita County|Harghita]] and [[Covasna County|Covasna]] counties) grouped into 5 statistical macroregions ([[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics|NUTS I]]), was made by the [[Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania]] (UDMR).<ref>http://www.gandul.info/politica/reorganizare-teritoriala-marca-udmr-15-euroregiuni-15-parlamente-955641{{dead link|date=July 2010}}</ref>


==Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS)==
==Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS)==
Line 68: Line 68:
| 1 || county || [[Bacău County]] || 6,621 || 719,844 || 3 || 5 || 85 || 491
| 1 || county || [[Bacău County]] || 6,621 || 719,844 || 3 || 5 || 85 || 491
|-
|-
| 2 || county || [[Botoşani County]] || 4,986 || 454,167 || 2 || 5 || 71 || 333
| 2 || county || [[Botoșani County]] || 4,986 || 454,167 || 2 || 5 || 71 || 333
|-
|-
| 3 || county || [[Iaşi County]] || 5,476 || 825,100 || 2 || 3 || 93 || 418
| 3 || county || [[Iași County]] || 5,476 || 825,100 || 2 || 3 || 93 || 418
|-
|-
| 4 || county || [[Neamţ County]] || 5,896 || 566,059 || 2 || 3 || 78 || 344
| 4 || county || [[Neamț County]] || 5,896 || 566,059 || 2 || 3 || 78 || 344
|-
|-
| 5 || county || [[Suceava County]] || 8,553 || 705,878 || 5 || 11 || 98 || 379
| 5 || county || [[Suceava County]] || 8,553 || 705,878 || 5 || 11 || 98 || 379
Line 84: Line 84:
| 8 || county || [[Buzău County]] || 6,103 || 488,763 || 2 || 3 || 82 || 475
| 8 || county || [[Buzău County]] || 6,103 || 488,763 || 2 || 3 || 82 || 475
|-
|-
| 9 || county || [[Constanţa County]] || 7,071 || 718,330 || 3 || 9 || 58 || 188
| 9 || county || [[Constanța County]] || 7,071 || 718,330 || 3 || 9 || 58 || 188
|-
|-
| 10 || county || [[Galaţi County]] || 4,466 || 614,449 || 2 || 2 || 60 || 180
| 10 || county || [[Galați County]] || 4,466 || 614,449 || 2 || 2 || 60 || 180
|-
|-
| 11 || county || [[Tulcea County]] || 8,499 || 250,641 || 1 || 4 || 46 || 133
| 11 || county || [[Tulcea County]] || 8,499 || 250,641 || 1 || 4 || 46 || 133
Line 94: Line 94:
| '''3''' || colspan=2|'''South development region''' || '''34,453''' || || '''16''' || '''32''' || '''519''' || '''2,019'''
| '''3''' || colspan=2|'''South development region''' || '''34,453''' || || '''16''' || '''32''' || '''519''' || '''2,019'''
|-
|-
| 13 || county || [[Argeş County]] || 6,826 || 644,236 || 3 || 4 || 95 || 576
| 13 || county || [[Argeș County]] || 6,826 || 644,236 || 3 || 4 || 95 || 576
|-
|-
| 14 || county || [[Călăraşi County]] || 5,088 || 315,187 || 2 || 3 || 50 || 160
| 14 || county || [[Călărași County]] || 5,088 || 315,187 || 2 || 3 || 50 || 160
|-
|-
| 15 || county || [[Dâmboviţa County]] || 4,054 || 533,330 || 2 || 5 || 82 || 353
| 15 || county || [[Dâmbovița County]] || 4,054 || 533,330 || 2 || 5 || 82 || 353
|-
|-
| 16 || county || [[Giurgiu County]] || 3,526 || 283,408 || 1 || 2 || 51 || 167
| 16 || county || [[Giurgiu County]] || 3,526 || 283,408 || 1 || 2 || 51 || 167
|-
|-
| 17 || county || [[Ialomiţa County]] || 4,453 || 290,563 || 3 || 4 || 59 || 127
| 17 || county || [[Ialomița County]] || 4,453 || 290,563 || 3 || 4 || 59 || 127
|-
|-
| 18 || county || [[Prahova County]] || 4,716 || 821,013 || 2 || 12 || 90 || 405
| 18 || county || [[Prahova County]] || 4,716 || 821,013 || 2 || 12 || 90 || 405
Line 114: Line 114:
| 21 || county || [[Gorj County]] || 5,602 || 381,643 || 2 || 7 || 61 || 411
| 21 || county || [[Gorj County]] || 5,602 || 381,643 || 2 || 7 || 61 || 411
|-
|-
| 22 || county || [[Mehedinţi County]] || 4,933 || 298,741 || 2 || 3 || 61 || 344
| 22 || county || [[Mehedinți County]] || 4,933 || 298,741 || 2 || 3 || 61 || 344
|-
|-
| 23 || county || [[Olt County]] || 5,498 || 475,702 || 2 || 6 || 104 || 377
| 23 || county || [[Olt County]] || 5,498 || 475,702 || 2 || 6 || 104 || 377
Line 124: Line 124:
| 25 || county || [[Arad County]] || 7,754 || 457,713 || 1 || 9 || 68 || 270
| 25 || county || [[Arad County]] || 7,754 || 457,713 || 1 || 9 || 68 || 270
|-
|-
| 26 || county || [[Caraş-Severin County]] || 8,520 || 327,579 || 2 || 6 || 69 || 287
| 26 || county || [[Caraș-Severin County]] || 8,520 || 327,579 || 2 || 6 || 69 || 287
|-
|-
| 27 || county || [[Hunedoara County]] || 7,063 || 472,284 || 7 || 7 || 55 || 457
| 27 || county || [[Hunedoara County]] || 7,063 || 472,284 || 7 || 7 || 55 || 457
|-
|-
| 28 || county || [[Timiş County]] || 8,697 || 666,866 || 2 || 8 || 87 || 313
| 28 || county || [[Timiș County]] || 8,697 || 666,866 || 2 || 8 || 87 || 313
|-
|-
| '''6''' || colspan=2|'''North-West development region''' || '''34,159''' || || '''15''' || '''28''' || '''401''' || '''1,799'''
| '''6''' || colspan=2|'''North-West development region''' || '''34,159''' || || '''15''' || '''28''' || '''401''' || '''1,799'''
Line 134: Line 134:
| 29 || county || [[Bihor County]] || 7,544 || 594,131 || 4 || 6 || 90 || 429
| 29 || county || [[Bihor County]] || 7,544 || 594,131 || 4 || 6 || 90 || 429
|-
|-
| 30 || county || [[Bistriţa-Năsăud County]] || 5,355 || 316,689 || 1 || 3 || 58 || 235
| 30 || county || [[Bistrița-Năsăud County]] || 5,355 || 316,689 || 1 || 3 || 58 || 235
|-
|-
| 31 || county || [[Cluj County]] || 6,674 || 692,316 || 5 || 1 || 75 || 420
| 31 || county || [[Cluj County]] || 6,674 || 692,316 || 5 || 1 || 75 || 420
|-
|-
| 32 || county || [[Maramureş County]] || 6,304 || 513,000 || 2 || 11 || 63 || 214
| 32 || county || [[Maramureș County]] || 6,304 || 513,000 || 2 || 11 || 63 || 214
|-
|-
| 33 || county || [[Satu Mare County]] || 4,418 || 366,270 || 2 || 4 || 58 || 220
| 33 || county || [[Satu Mare County]] || 4,418 || 366,270 || 2 || 4 || 58 || 220
Line 148: Line 148:
| 35 || county || [[Alba County]] || 6,242 || 376,086 || 4 || 7 || 67 || 656
| 35 || county || [[Alba County]] || 6,242 || 376,086 || 4 || 7 || 67 || 656
|-
|-
| 36 || county || [[Braşov County]] || 5,363 || 593,928 || 4 || 6 || 48 || 149
| 36 || county || [[Brașov County]] || 5,363 || 593,928 || 4 || 6 || 48 || 149
|-
|-
| 37 || county || [[Covasna County]] || 3,710 || 223,364 || 2 || 3 || 40 || 122
| 37 || county || [[Covasna County]] || 3,710 || 223,364 || 2 || 3 || 40 || 122
Line 154: Line 154:
| 38 || county || [[Harghita County]] || 6,639 || 325,611 || 4 || 5 || 58 || 235
| 38 || county || [[Harghita County]] || 6,639 || 325,611 || 4 || 5 || 58 || 235
|-
|-
| 39 || county || [[Mureş County]] || 6,714 || 581,759 || 4 || 7 || 91 || 464
| 39 || county || [[Mureș County]] || 6,714 || 581,759 || 4 || 7 || 91 || 464
|-
|-
| 40 || county || [[Sibiu County]] || 5,432 || 423,156 || 2 || 9 || 53 || 162
| 40 || county || [[Sibiu County]] || 5,432 || 423,156 || 2 || 9 || 53 || 162

Revision as of 20:47, 21 March 2014

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Romania's administration is relatively centralised and administrative subdivisions are therefore fairly simplified.

According to the Constitution of Romania, its territory is organized administratively into communes, towns and counties:[1]

  • At the county level: 41 counties, and one city with special status (Bucharest, the national capital)
  • At the town/commune level: 103 municipalities and 217 other cities (for urban areas), and 2856 communes (for rural areas).[2] Municipality (municipiu) status is accorded to larger towns, but it does not give their administrations any greater powers.

Below communal or town level, there are no further formal administrative subdivisions. However, communes are divided into villages (which have no administration of their own). There are 12,955 villages in Romania. The only exception is Bucharest, which has six sectors, each with an administration of its own.

Historic

Main article: Historical administrative divisions of Romania

The earliest organization into județe of the Principalities of Wallachia,[3] respectively ținuturi of Moldavia, dates back at least to the early 15th century. Each județ, respectively ținut, was ruled by a jude, respectively pârcălab, an officially appointed person who had administrative and judicial functions in a manner inspired from the organization of the late Byzantine Empire. Transylvania, when it was part of the historic Kingdom of Hungary (in the Middle Ages), an independent Principality or a Habsburg domain (in the modern era until World War I) was divided into royal counties (Latin:comitatus), headed by comes (royal counts) with administrative and judicial functions. The term județ became used in Romanian universally for all principalities since mid-19th century.

After modern Romania was formed in 1859 through the union of Wallachia and rump Moldavia, and then extended in 1918 through the union of Transylvania, as well as Bukovina and Bessarabia (parts of Moldavia temporarily acquired by the Habsburgs, 1775–1918, respectively the Russian Tsars, 1812–1917), the administrative division was modernized using the French departments system as an example. With the exception of the half of the Communist period, this system remained in place. Since 1864, for each județ there exists a prefect (from the Latin praefectus), a subordinate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who is the representative of the government in the county, and the head of the local administration in the areas not delegated to local authorities.[4] Until 1948, each județ was further divided into a number of plăși (singular plasă), with each administered by a pretor (from the Latin praetor), appointed by the prefect.[5]

In 1913, as a result of the Second Balkan War, Romania acquired Southern Dobruja from Bulgaria, integrating this historical region within Romania's borders until 1940. In 1923 Romania adopted a new Constitution, and in 1927 it uniformized the traditional administrative systems of Transylvania, Bukovina and Bessarabia with that of the Romanian Old Kingdom. County borders were kept largely intact, with only a couple minor adjustments, as a total of 71 județe existed between 1927 and 1938.

In 1938, King Carol II modified the Constitution, and after that the law of administration of the Romanian territory. Ten "ținuturi" (approx. translation: "lands") were created, ruled by "Rezidenți Regali" (approx. translation "Royal Residents"), appointed directly by the Monarch. The ținuturi represented another layer of administration between counties and the country; county borders were not erased.[4][6] But, due to World War II, the Second Vienna Award, the Ribbentrop-Molotov pact and the loss of territory that Romania suffered, this style of administration did not last, the administration at the "județ" level being reintroduced back until the establishment of communism in 1945-1947.

During World War II, the territory of Romania suffered very significant modifications. In 1940, Soviet Union occupied Bessarabia, northern Bukovina, and Herza region which after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, would become part of Republic of Moldova and of Ukraine. Between 1941-1944, these territories together with Transnistria, were administered by Romania briefly, as the country was governed by a military dictatorship allied with Nazi Germany. Transnistria consisted of formerly proper Soviet territory between Dniester and Southern Bug rivers. Nowadays, most of it is in Ukraine, with small parts in the Republic of Moldova (current Transnistria). This territory was kept under Romanian military occupation, and was not annexed to Romania consisted of a further 13 counties.

Current counties imposed over the inter-war counties

After the war, the Communist Party took over the administration of the country. In 1950, the party changed the administration model to the Russian model (regions and raions), but it reverted to the current system in 1968, although county borders were quite different from the interbelic period.[7] In 1981 the former counties of Ilfov and Ialomița were re-organised into the present-day counties of Giurgiu, Călărași, Ialomița and Ilfov. The county borders introduced in 1968 are largely in place, but administrative reform during the 1990s has devolved the functions of different authorities in line with transition from a totalitarian communist system to a modern democracy. The only territorial adjustment after 1989 occurred in 1995, when Ilfov County was formed. Before that it was a dependency of the Municipality of Bucharest (Sectorul Agricol Ilfov).

Current status

Eight regional divisions (called development regions) were created in 1998 in order to better co-ordinate regional development as Romania progressed towards accession to the European Union, and consist of several counties each. These correspond to NUTS II-level divisions in European Union member states, but do not actually have an administrative status and do not have a legislative or executive council or government. As of 2009, Romania is divided into 41 counties and one municipality which are assigned as NUTS III-level divisions. Currently, Romania has no NUTS-4 units, the counties being composed directly of cities (some of which with municipality status) and communes.

As in all modern democracies, the political power in Romania is divided into three independent branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The prefect and his administration have only executive prerogatives. However, the territorial districts of the Romanian judicial system overlap with county borders, thus avoiding further complication.[4] At the same time with local elections (of mayors and councilors for the cities and communes), a Consiliu județean (County Council) is elected for each county. Since 2008 a President of the County Council is also elected by direct vote. As of now, the legislative powers of county councils are quite reduced, but there are plans for more decentralization. (These plans, however, call for introduction of Regional Councils for the 8 development regions of the NUTS-2 level.)

Future developments

As of 2010 there have been several proposals for the administrative reorganization of Romania made by the presidential commission tasked with the analysis of the political and constitutional regime.[8] Most of these recommendations aim for the partial reestablishment of the counties in their pre-1950 form. The counties will be grouped into several regions (9 to 15) based on common historical and economic characteristics (NUTS II level). The regions will be in their turn clustered into 4-6 macroregions (NUTS I level). Furthermore, a NUTS IV level division, called plasă or canton will probably be added in order to meet the EU statistical and administrative requirements.[9]

Another proposal, based on 15 autonomous euro-regions (amongst them one ethnic based region with a consistent Hungarian majority made of the existing Mureș, Harghita and Covasna counties) grouped into 5 statistical macroregions (NUTS I), was made by the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR).[10]

Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS)

Main article: NUTS of Romania

For statistical and development purposes, Romania, in the NUTS scheme, is divided into:

  • NUTS I level: 4 macroregions (macroregiune in Romanian), used for appropriation of European development funds
  • NUTS II level: 8 development regions, with an average population of 2.8 million inhabitants per region, although not administrative divisions per se, have been used for decades for statistical purposes by the Romanian National Commission of Statistics (NCS). Recently they also exist to co-ordinate regional development and appropriation of European development funds
  • NUTS III level: 41 counties and one municipality (Bucharest, the national capital) reflecting Romania's official administrative-territorial structure
  • LAU I level: not used, as territorial units associations have not been identified yet;
  • LAU II level: 217 cities and 103 municipalities (for urban areas), and 2,856 communes (for rural areas)

An exception to this structure is the Municipality of Bucharest, which is a secondary division (rather than a tertiary division like other municipalities) and is officially divided into six sectors, each sector having a local government and council.

The eight development regions (specific territorial entities without administrative status or legal personality) represent the framework for collecting specific statistical data, according to the European regulations issued by Eurostat for the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) II territorial level. According to the Emergency Government Ordinance No 75/2001 on the functioning of the National Institute for Statistics, eight Directorates General for regional statistics have been created, and together with the 34 county directorates for statistics, aim at developing regional statistics. Officially, the eight regions are North-East, South-East, South, South-West, West, North-West, Center, and Bucharest. The criteria used by NCS for delimiting the regions is a combination of geographical location and homogeneity based on population density. Alternative historical names are also used, but remain unofficial.

no type name area, km2 population (mid-2007 official estimate) municipalities other cities communes villages
1 North-East development region 36,850 17 29 506 2,414
1 county Bacău County 6,621 719,844 3 5 85 491
2 county Botoșani County 4,986 454,167 2 5 71 333
3 county Iași County 5,476 825,100 2 3 93 418
4 county Neamț County 5,896 566,059 2 3 78 344
5 county Suceava County 8,553 705,878 5 11 98 379
6 county Vaslui County 5,318 455,594 3 2 81 449
2 South-East development region 35,762 11 24 354 1,447
7 county Brăila County 4,766 365,628 1 3 40 140
8 county Buzău County 6,103 488,763 2 3 82 475
9 county Constanța County 7,071 718,330 3 9 58 188
10 county Galați County 4,466 614,449 2 2 60 180
11 county Tulcea County 8,499 250,641 1 4 46 133
12 county Vrancea County 4,857 392,619 2 3 68 331
3 South development region 34,453 16 32 519 2,019
13 county Argeș County 6,826 644,236 3 4 95 576
14 county Călărași County 5,088 315,187 2 3 50 160
15 county Dâmbovița County 4,054 533,330 2 5 82 353
16 county Giurgiu County 3,526 283,408 1 2 51 167
17 county Ialomița County 4,453 290,563 3 4 59 127
18 county Prahova County 4,716 821,013 2 12 90 405
19 county Teleorman County 5,790 413,064 3 2 92 231
4 South-West development region 29, 212 11 29 408 2,070
20 county Dolj County 7,414 712,187 3 4 104 378
21 county Gorj County 5,602 381,643 2 7 61 411
22 county Mehedinți County 4,933 298,741 2 3 61 344
23 county Olt County 5,498 475,702 2 6 104 377
24 county Vâlcea County 5,765 411,576 2 9 78 560
5 West development region 32,034 12 30 279 1,327
25 county Arad County 7,754 457,713 1 9 68 270
26 county Caraș-Severin County 8,520 327,579 2 6 69 287
27 county Hunedoara County 7,063 472,284 7 7 55 457
28 county Timiș County 8,697 666,866 2 8 87 313
6 North-West development region 34,159 15 28 401 1,799
29 county Bihor County 7,544 594,131 4 6 90 429
30 county Bistrița-Năsăud County 5,355 316,689 1 3 58 235
31 county Cluj County 6,674 692,316 5 1 75 420
32 county Maramureș County 6,304 513,000 2 11 63 214
33 county Satu Mare County 4,418 366,270 2 4 58 220
34 county Sălaj County 3,864 243,157 1 3 57 281
7 Center development region 34,100 20 37 357 1,788
35 county Alba County 6,242 376,086 4 7 67 656
36 county Brașov County 5,363 593,928 4 6 48 149
37 county Covasna County 3,710 223,364 2 3 40 122
38 county Harghita County 6,639 325,611 4 5 58 235
39 county Mureș County 6,714 581,759 4 7 91 464
40 county Sibiu County 5,432 423,156 2 9 53 162
8 Bucharest-Ilfov development region 1,821 1 8 32 91
41 county Ilfov County 1,583 294,094 - 8 32 91
42 municipality Bucharest 238 1,931,838 1 - - -
Total 238,391 N/A 103 217 2,856 12,955

References

  • Law 151/1998 regarding the regional development in Romania was published in "Monitorul Oficial" on July 16, 1998, being approved by the Romanian Parliament. MIE Chapter 21
  1. ^ Constitution of Romania, Title I, article 3
  2. ^ Geography, meteorology and environment [dead link‍]
  3. ^ "De la sat la județ în istoria Olteniei | Vertical". Verticalonline.ro. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  4. ^ a b c "Institutia Prefectului judetul Arges". Prefecturaarges.ro:8080. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  5. ^ Sorin Damian. "Judetul Buzau". Buzau.com. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  6. ^ Template:Ro icon Ioan Scurtu, Theodora Stănescu-Stanciu, Georgiana Margareta Scurtu, Istoria românilor între anii 1918-1940: VIII. Viața politică în perioada februarie 1938-septembrie 1940 ("The History of the Romanians in 1918-1940): IV. Political Life in the February 1938-September 1940 Period":"Decret-lege pentru reforma electorală" ("Law Decree for Electoral Reform") [dead link‍]
  7. ^ "Istoria Banatului :: În linii mari". Vestul.ro. 1944-08-23. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  8. ^ "Microsoft Word - RAPORTUL STANOMIR.doc" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 August 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-08. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ http://www.romanialibera.ro/dosar/a129846-cum-va-arata-harta-romaniei.html[dead link‍]
  10. ^ http://www.gandul.info/politica/reorganizare-teritoriala-marca-udmr-15-euroregiuni-15-parlamente-955641[dead link‍]
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